The wheelchair tennis star is confident he can earn a place on the podium at London 2012 after hitting form in recent months.

And after beating the best player in the world David Wagner last month the world number five believes winning gold is a genuine possibility.

Burdekin just missed out on being seeded for the London 2012 singles but is hoping the support of a home crowd can help his fight for glory.

Looking forward to the biggest tournament of his career, Burdekin said: “It’s exciting, after all the hard work over the last four years since Beijing this is what it is all about, and the support I have had at home has been fantastic.

“Obviously with it being in our own country – a home games which we are probably not going to see again in our lifetime – it’s going to be crazy.”

The 32-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the quad doubles at the Beijing Paralympic Games, is one of the in-form quad tennis stars and believes he is peaking at the right time for the Paralympics.

“There’s no reason why I can’t get on the podium. I’m aiming for a gold medal but I’m taking every match, game and point as it comes. I don’t really like to predict but there’s no reason why not, I’m in with a chance (of winning gold).”

The father of Charlie, aged five, also hopes his experience in China will give him a competitive advantage.

“I have been there and done it myself out in Beijing and other competitions. I perform better with the crowds around me – it works well for me and I love the audience. Beijing opened my eyes because I didn’t realise Paralympic sport was this big.”

Burdekin will only be involved in singles action this time after missing out on selection for the quad doubles – but he hopes that will help him.

“I was a bit disappointed (not to be selected) but on the plus side it’s going to give me a lot more rest and allow me to concentrate on the singles a lot more. I feel I have got something to prove and the way I have been playing – winning in Seoul and taking big scalps – I’m feeling confident. I feel like I’m peaking at the right time.”

After a long build up for the Paralympics – including an impressive recovery from injury last year – Burdekin is grateful for the team he has around him.

He said: “The support is brilliant. On occasions like this everyone comes out of the woodwork and you realise how amazing everyone is and friends and family. You couldn’t do things like this on your own.”

While he has no celebration planned should he win gold Burdekin said he may pull some wheelies on the podium if he wins. And with a postbox at the end of his street in Blundellsands he is hoping Royal Mail will have to get their paintbrushes out for him.